The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-06-23
MARYLAND DuNKARDS.
Early History and Development OF
Religious Society.


of the German tunken, ''to dip" which
applied to a religious denomination
which originated in Germany. In the
year 170S Alexander Mack. of Schwartz
zenau, agreed with few of his neigh
bors to meet together and discuss the
word of God without reference TO ex-
isting creeds. Without being aware
that other denominations held similar
views, they adopted the Bible as Their
creed without catechism or confession
Of faith, and the independent or con
gregational form of church governments
'ersons become members by baptism,
which is administered by immersion,
kneeling and dipping three times; hence
their name. They do not practice in
FAINT baptism. deeming it anti-scriptural.
They have no paid ministry. but elect
one of the male members of the congre-
CATION to act in the capacity of preacher
for one year. They hold revivals
twice year-in the winter and spring
when an ardent enthusiasm is stirred
up. There is, however. no shouting in
their revivals. Their services are very
much like those of other churches.
In their early history. in this country.
nearly all the men wore long boards.
some over half yard long; but this
was not requisite to membership.
There are but few now who wear boards
ut all. Their style of dress is odd, not,
unlike that of the Quaker, whom they
follow in their non-conformity to the
world in this respect. There are men,
oers even at the present day who dis
card buttons as entirely too gay. and
tasten their coats with hooks and eyes.
they are neither allowed TO take an
path nor to engage in war. During the.
war of the rebellion a number of young
Dunkards enlisted in the Union army.
Of these some were killed; the survivors.
returned and were obliged to answer,
for it to the church. The Dunkards,
we're opposed TO slavery, and with a
strong sentiment that way in the
church, the case of these wayward sons
was finally satisfactorily settled, none
If them being punished. "
In addition to these views. they hold
It sinful to 60 to war, or to invoke the.
aid of civil authorities, even in self-de-
tense. They formerly refused all inter-
est on money, but this regulation has
been modified with time, and they now
lend money at legal rates. but never.
accept usurv. Twice yesr they cele-
brate the communion in connection
with the agapa. or love feast. Several
weeks before, visiting deacons 60 around
among the brethren to allay all dissen-
sions and to get them in a state of COM.
munion in order to partake wOrthily of
the solemn feast. They also salute one
another with the kiss of charity, anoint
the sick with oil for recovery. and
wash one another's feet. This last
practice they follow as Christian or
iinance. On these occasions the men
and women are arranged on opposite
sides, on benches, in their bare feet.
Two men with aprons and towels move
along the row on the mems side, and
two women similarly supplied on that
Of the women-one washing the feet
and the other wiping them. After the
feet-washing they partake of a collation.
of biscuit, cheese and coffee. This is
the love feast. which extends to the
length of appeasing the appetite. After
eating as much as they wish the sacra-
ment is administered.
The Dunkards consisted first of Mack
and few of his neighbors. They soon
increased in number, and several
churches were built, in which their
simple and impressive services were
held. Although leading peaceful and
harmless lives, they were prosecuted by
the State and were driven to seek refuge
in other lands. Many fled to Holland
and the Duchy of Cleves. Whether they
met with similar treatment here or not
we are unable to state, bat shortly after
they all emigrated to America. The
first families arrived in 1719 and settled
in Germantown. In 1888 a company of
chem emigrated from Pennsylvania and
established themselves in Western
Maryland, where their numerous
churches and large numbers at the
present day are proof abundant of
ther religious activity and zeal. There
are in Washington County no less than
fourteen ohhrches, with considerable
membership. Those atKeedysville and
Beaver Greek are the oldest in the
county. The latest addition is the one,
on East Washington street, in Hagers-.
town. The one at Sharpsburg has,
become famous because of the part it
PLAYED in the battle of Antietam; for
it was about this old building that the
battle ragged most fiercely. Here it was
that the three corps OF Hooker, Mans
field and Summer were completely
shattered while attempting to turn
Jackson's flank; four generals and
nearly all the commissioned officers
were slain, and brigades were reduced
to mere handfuls. The walls of the old
church were shattered by shot and
she'll, but they have since been repaired
and show no marks of the deadly con-
fiict in which they took SO conspicuous
part.
Many of the most prominent citizens
in Washington County are descended
from old Dunkard families. The New
corners, Millers, Weltys, Snivelys,
Rohrers, Middlekauffs, Funks and Wit
mers, were originally members of the
Dunkard church. They are still
large and influential denomination, and